energy resources Flashcards
biofuels
obtained from living or recently living organisms
renewable
carbon neutral
the nuclear fuel used in a nuclear power station
uranium
power stations work..
water heated to produce steam, steam drives a turbine, coupled to an electrical genrator
wind waves and tides
renewable
wind turbine
wind passes over turbine blades which makes the turbine rotate and drive a generator
wave turbines
waves drive a floating turbine that turns a generator
hydroelectric power station
water collected at a reservoir at the top of a hill and turns a turbine when it is released back down the hill
solar cells
transfer electromagnetic radiation from the sun directly into electrical energy- work together to form a solar panel
geothermal energy
energy released from radioactive substances deep within the earth
fossil fuel disadvantages
non-renewable
oil and gas will probs run out in next 50 years
CO2 released when burnt- global warming
nuclear power advantages
no greenhouse gases
transfers more energy per kg than fossil fuels
nuclear power disadvantages
used fuel rods contain radioactive waste so have to be stored safely
safe in normal use but accidents can make surroundings extremely unsafe
renewable sources advantages
wont run out
no greenhouse gases
can be used where connection to the grid is uneconomical
renewable sources disadvantages
dont meet the world demand
not available all the time
can damage plant and animal life
power station order of start up times- shortest- longest
gas, oil, coal, nuclear
